Dog racing lure apparatus



P 1940- r R. H. ALLDRITT .197.446

DOG RACING LURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

I A 14.6. ATTORNEY Maw April-16, 1940. n- 2,197,446

,noe meme LURE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1936 4 Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ZdTZ'LZZ J f A TTORNEY April 16, 1940. R. H. ALLDRITT DOG RACING LUBE APPARATUS Filed Aug. 13, 1936' 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 16, 1940. R. H. ALLDRITT DOG RACING LURE APPARATUS Filed Au 13, 1936 4 sheets-sheet 4 Sum/M44 EEAMW' Zt IZKEFEEEEEZ L LE Patented Apr. 16, 1940 M t v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,197,446 DOG RACING LURE APPARA'rUs Roy H. Alldritt, Miami, Fla.

Application August 13, 1936, Serial No. 95,896 4 Claims. (01. 272-4) My invention relates to dog racing lure appa- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the ratus, and particularly to a device of this charlure retracting means. acter intended and adapted to carry and move a Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating the rabbit, or other dog racing lure along or over the completely retracted relation. course of a dog racing track, and to actuate and Fi 4 is a view in side elevation of the struc- 5 control the lure. ture illustrated in Figure 1.

An object is to provide a device of this char- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and partial sectional acter with which the lure is carried and is moved view of a portion of the structure illustrated in in a relation to urge the dogs along the length Fig. i and showing the same in operative position.

of the racing course, and is then removed from Fig. 6 is a a tary sectional w taken 10 the position adjacent to the race course, substansubstantially on line 6-6 of Figure 1. tially at the end of the course, to thus remove the Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illusurge or incentive for the dogs to continue past ng a modified Construction and adaptation the end of the race course. of my invention showing the lure carrying arm in [5 Another object is to provide means to carry a trailing position and retracted. rabbit or other lure in a most attractive and en- Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through ticing position and relation over and along the the lure carrying arm Of Fig- 7 as it Will pp racing course of the dog track, which means is when retracted.

movable to permit retraction to remove the rabbit Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 showing the or lure entirely from the race course and from a lure carrying arm extended. 20 position over or immediately adjacent to the Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail view showing track. the means for holding the lure carrying arm in Still another object is to provide means within the extended or operative position. the control of an operator by which the rabbit or Fig. 11 is a fragmentary detail view of an eleclure is moved to the inoperative or non-luring trically energized trip means suitable for use in 25 position. tripping the parts as shown in Fig. 10.

A further object is to so construct and mount With the adaptation illustrated in Figs. 1

the parts that when the racing lure has been car through 6, the track rails I and 2 are mounted on ried to a predetermined point, and the operator any suitable support structure, as illustrated at or person in control has set the retraction con 3, which supporting structure can be carried by 30 trol,the lure will besubstantially instantaneously posts t, or other suitable members or structure. withdrawn or removed from over the dog racing The dog racing course or dog track will be made track, and will be brought to a position out of of any desired size and form, and the track rails the line of vision of the racing dogs. I and 2 will be mounted in substantially parallel Yet another object and purpose is to so conrelation to one side of the dog racing track or struct the retracting means that the lure may course, to substantially follow the contour of the be normally carried and moved at a point somecourse; what extended laterally from the supporting car A carriage 5 is mounted on flanged wheels 6 or carriage, and when the parts are retracted. the and l, which flanged-wheels travel on the track lure and supporting parts therefor are also rerails I and 2. This carriage 5 may contain or 40 tracted toward the car or carriage to thus relieve support an electric motor, or other suitable drivthe overbalancing effect and weight. ing means, by which one or both sets of wheels 6 With the above and other objects in view, and l can be rotated to cause the carriage or which will beapparent to those skilled in the art, car structure to travel along the length of the and will appear from the drawings and specifitrack rails i and 2. As shown in Fig. 6, trolley 45 cation, my invention includes certainnovel feawires or contact rails 8, 9 and it can be provided tures of construction and combinations and aron the track rails I and 2, and contact shoes ll, rangements and assemblies of parts which will l2 and i3 can be provided on the carriage of car now be described with reference to the drawings, 5 to bear against the respective trolley wires or and will then be pointed out in the claims. rails. As electrically propelled carriages or cars 50 In the drawings: are well known to those skilled in the art, no at- Figure 1 is a view in top plan, with parts in tempt is here made to illustrate in detail any section, showing a fragmentary portion of a track particular motor arrangement and driving constructure having my improved dog lur'e carrier nection. However, as three trolley wires or rails associated therewith. are shown it will be appreciated that a current 55 control can be accomplished for forward and reverse operation of the carriage or car, and also that electrically actuated or other brake mechanism and means can be provided for the carriage or car and can be controlled through one of the trolley circuits as described. Electrically actuated and controlled brake means are common, and also control switches and control circuit arrangements are well known, in view of which no particular structure or adaptation is here illustrated.

The carriage or car 5 has mounted thereon and carried thereby a supporting case M, which supporting case at one end has a pivot pin l5, on which a lure carrying arm I 6 is swingably mounted. This lure carrying arm is adapted to be swung to a position to extend laterally, substantially as shown in Fig. 1, in which position the rabbit ll, or other lure, is supported and is carried at a distance laterally from the track rails and 2, and the arm i6 is swingable to a second position in which the arm extends substantially rearwardly from the car or carriage 5 and the lure or rabbit H is disposed substantially over and above thetrack rails and 2.

The arm It has at its outer end a harness H3, or other means by which a rabbit or other lure can be mounted and will be carried, and the car or carriage 5 is preferably provided with a stop or button l9 which will limit inward swinging movement of the arm l6 and will take up the shock as this arm is swung inwardly. If desired, this stop or button Hi can be made of rubber or other cushion or spring material, to absorb and relieve impact shocks.

The arm I3 is preferably curved rearwardly and then laterally, as is best shown in Figure 1, and a leaf spring 20 is mounted on the carriage and has one end extending to bear against the forward side of the arm I6. -A spring latch 2| is provided to releasably engage in notches 22 and 23 provided on the bearing portion of the arm l6 adjacent to the swinging mounting on pin I5, and this spring latch 2| will engage in the groove or notch 22 to hold the arm IS in the extended position, and will engage in notch or groove 23 to retain the arm in the retracted or rearwardly ex tending and trailing position. This latch means is so formed that it will resist ordinary operative forces tending to swing the arm IE, but that any greater force will readily release the latch so that it can swing upon its mounting on pin IS.

A cross supporting shaft 24 is mounted to extend from one of the posts 4, or from any other suitable support, at a point along the length of the track rails and 2 corresponding substantially to the end of the racing course of the dog racing track or course, and this supporting shaft is elevated to permit passage of the carriage 5. An arm 25 is swingably mounted upon the shaft 2d and has a supporting rod 26 telescopically fitted in an elongated opening 21 therein, a spring 28 being provided to urge said supporting rod 26 outwardly and to cushion shocks due to sudden inward movement of this supporting rod. The supporting rod 25 is bifurcated at its outer end, as at 29, and is provided with bearing portions to revolubly mount a contact wheel 30. A spring 3| is associated with the arm 25 in such manner that it will exert resilient force to normally swing this arm to substantially the position shown in Fig. 4, where the wheel 30 is raised above the elevation of the path of travel of the arm l6 and the spring 2|].

An electromagnet 32 is mounted adjacent to the swinging end of the arm 25, and this arm has an armature 33 thereon to be attracted by the electromagnet 32 so that the arm 28 will be swung to substantially the position shown in Fig. 5, where the wheel 30 is disposed in position to engage the spring 20 and trip and swing back the arm l6, when the electromagnet has been energized. A suitable circuit connection, similar to that indicated at 34, can be employed to sup-- ply current from any suitable electric current source, and switch 35 can be included in this circuit to thus permit manual control of the circuit to energize and de-energize the electromagnet 32.

The supporting case structure M has an elongated opening 35 therein and a plunger rod 31 slidably fitted in this opening 36 urged by spring 38 into contact with the hub portion 39 of the arm l6, where this arm is swingably mounted on the pin Hi. The hub portion 39 can be provided with a cam formation 40, and thus as the wheel 30 engages spring 20 suflicient excess pressure will be exerted against arm It to cause spring latch 2| to be disengaged from the notch or groove 22, in consequence of which the arm It will swing rearwardly as indicated in Fig. 2. As the armswings a sufiicient distance to bring the cam portion 40 past the end of plunger rod 31, this rod will engage with the cam formation to force the arm 5' to its full rearward position and to the relation in which the latch 2| engages in notch or groove 23. This spring pressed plunger rod 31 serves and acts to aid in holding the arm H5 in each of its positions for use.

As stated above, the trolley wires and contact shoes provide means through which the electric motor propelling the carriage'or car 5 can be supplied with current for either forward or reverse travel of the carriage or car, and also it will be appreciated that this circuit arrangement permits provision for relay or electromagnetically operated brake means, or other form of brake mechanism, several of which are well known.

In some uses it may be found desirable to provide for extension or lengthening and shortening of that part of the arm l6 which carries the harness l8, to thus permit adjustment and movement of the rabbit or lure to be carried a greater or less distance laterally from the trackways and 2.

When the arm I6 is swung back the rabbit or lure i! will be carried substantially over these tracks and 2, and thus the lure will have substantially disappeared from proximity to the race course, thereby avoiding continuation of the luring of the dogs. If desired, a curtain, housing, or other shield can be provided, as at 4|, in a position interposed to hide the lure when the arm I6 is swung to the inward position. By this con struction and arrangement, the rabbit can be thrown to disappear from its extended side position, and thereby avoid the continuation of racing of the dogs. With this arrangement and construction the dogs will not be lured to continue beyond the end of the racing course, and thus likelihood of the dogs being hurt by racing beyond the end of the course, or by coming in contact with an extending lure or lure carrying arm, after the lure moving carriage has been stopped, is avoided.

With the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive, the supporting frame 42 is adapted to be fitted upon and supported and moved by a carriage or carrier structure traveling on a track, or otherwise moved along the exill tent of a dog racing course, and this supporting frame might conveniently be mounted upon and carried by a carriage structure similar to the carriage 5, mounted and traveling as hereinbefore described. This supporting frame 42 has thereon a pivot pin or standard 43, and a lure carrying arm 44 is pivotally and swingably mounted on the bearing pin or standard 45 so that it can be swung to a position to extend laterally from the carriage, substantially as indicated by the dotted lines at 45, or can be swung to a position extending substantially rearwardly or trailing from the supporting frame 42 as this is supported on the traveling carriage.

This lure carrying arm 44 is preferably made up as two or more tubular sections, 46 and 41, telescopically and slidably fitted together, and a spring M! is connected between these two tele scopically fitted tubular sections 416 and 4'! in such relation that the spring normally exerts pulling force to retract the section 4'! slidably within the section 45. ihe tubular extension section 41 may have a spline groove 49 therein, and a screw or other member 5! is carried by the arm section M5 and is received in this spline groove 49 to keep the extension portion M from rotating within the tubular arm section 4'3. At the outer end of the extension section M a lure carrier harness or other supporting means can be provided, as hereinbefore described, or of any other type.

The spring 48 normally exerts resilient pulling force to telescopically slide the extension section ll into the arm section 45, and a cushion spring 5i is preferably provided within the section 46 adjacent to the pivot or mounting pin or standard Mi so that as the extension section 41 is drawn inwardly sharply under the impetus of the spring it, inward movement will be stopped and will be cushioned by this spring 5!.

As the spring 48 normally tends to retract or telescopically slide the extension section 31 into the arm section 45, it is necessary and desirable that means be provided to hold the retractable arm portion or extension 4i in the extended position, when the device is in use. Referring to Fig. 9, a catch or latch member 52 is pivotally mounted on the arm portion 46 with its latch end movable through an opening in this arm member it to a position to catch against the inner end of the retractable arm portion 4'! and hold this arm portion 41 extended against the resilient retracting force exerted by spring 48. A substantially U-shaped link or arm structure 53 is associated with the latch member 52 after the manher of a bell crank, and a spring 54 is provided to pull upon the bell crank lever and urge the latch member 52 into the latching position. A substantially U-shaped link portion 55 is swingably mounted on the arm member or portion 46, and has an extension lever 56 projecting beyond the swinging or pivot mounting. A rod or cable 51 is connected with this arm at one end, and at its other end is connected with the bell crank arm 53 so that as the substantially U-shaped link or lever portion 55 is swung to exert drawing force upon the rod or cable 51, the latch member 52 will be raised to release from its engagement with the inner end of the extension arm portion 41.

An arcuate supporting trackway or rest 58 is provided on the supporting member 52 to extend substantially in an are having as its center the this track or support portion 58 has a hook-like stop portion 53, a latch 60 being provided at the throat of this hook-like stop portion to func-v tion somewhat after the manner of a snap hook to retain the arm 46 in the rearwardly extending or trailing position. This latch portion 60 can be released manually when it is desired to swing the arm structure 44 to the laterally extending position as indicated at 45, and a spring 6| is preferably provided on the pivot pin or standard it to exert force upon the arm structure 44 to normally swing this arm to the full line position as shown in Fig. 7.

At the forward end of the arcuate and concentrically arranged or disposed supporting trackway 55, I provide a latch structure to hold the lure carrying arm in the extended position. This latch structure consists of a substantially U- shaped member 62 which is swingably mounted on its lower side, as at 63, upon the supporting member 52. This member 62 is pivotally or swingably mounted at 63 so that the open end thereof is disposed to receive the arm. structure M when this arm structure is swung to the position indicated at 45, and a latch portion 64 is provided on the member 52 to engage with a latch plate 55 on the arm member 46. A spring 66 normally swings the latch member 62 to a position to engage andhold upon the latch plate 65. A rod or plunger 5? is slidably mounted in a suitable bearing with its rearwardly disposed headed end 58 disposed to be engaged by the arm structure 4d when this arm structure is swung to the position at 45, and a spring 69 is provided on the rod 5i to exert resilient pressure to initiate rearward swinging movement of the arm structure it immediately the latch 64 is released from the latch plate 65, the spring 6! carrying through the full movement of the arm structure 44 from the operative to the inoperative positions.

The substantially U-shaped latch member 62 has a cam or track portion T0 carried on its upper arm in such relation that a stop or wheel 7! engaging therewith will depress this cam or track portion ID and in consequence will swing the latch portion 64 of the member 62 downwardly against the pressure of spring 66 to release this latch end 64 from the latch plate 65. In Fig. 11 I have illustrated a convenient means for moving the trip wheel H into and out of the tripping position. As here shown, the wheel 'II is revolubly mounted at one end of a lever or arm 12 which is swingably mounted at bearing 13. A spring 14 normally exerts pulling force on the arm 72 to raise the trip wheel H above a position where it will engage with the cam or trackway 1B. This tripping structure can be mounted at any desired point along the trackway on which the carriage supporting the supporting plate 52 is mounted to travel and the arm 12 can be manipulated to bring the tripping wheel H into the tripping position by any suitable means. In the present disclosure I have shown an electromagnet 1'5 adjacent to and above the outer swinging end of arm 12, which electromagnet can be connected in any desired circuit energized from any source and controlled by any suitable switch or other means. An armature 15 is mounted on the arm 12 in position to be attracted by the electromagnet 15, when energized; and consequently the arm 12 will be swung against the resilient force of spring 14 and the trip wheel II will be lowered or swung down to a position where it will come into tripping engagement with the cam or trackway portion 10.

When the wheel H trips the latch member 62 to release the latch portion 64 from the latch plate 65, the spring 69 exerts pushing pressure on the plunger rod 61 to bring the head 68 forced fully against the arm structure 44 and initiate rear swinging movement of this arm, the spring 6i carrying through the movement.

In the rearward swinging or retracting movement of the arm structure 44, it is desirable that the latch 52 be released so the extension arm portion G! will be retracted by spring 48 telescopically into the tubular arm portion 46. With this in mind, I provide a roller H on the substantially U-shaped link portion 55, and mount a cam track 18 on the arcuate supporting track portion 58 in such position that as the arm struc ture 44 swings rearwardly this roller 1'! will come into contact with the cam portion 18 and the lever- 56 will be rocked to exert pulling force on rod or cable 5'! to swing arm 53 and raise or release the latch 52.

While I have herein shown and described only certain specific embodiments of my invention and have suggested only certain possible modifications and changes and adaptations, it will be appreciated that many changes and variations can be made in the form, construction, arrangement, assembly, and association of the parts, and in the manner of use, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A dog racing apparatus comprising, with a track rail structure, a carriage mounted to travel on said track rail structure, a lure carrying arm swingably supported by said carriage to be swungto a laterally extending relation to present a lure in dog luring relation and to be swung to a retracted position to remove the lure from dog luring relation, and shock cushioned means adjaoent to the track to engage said arm to move the arm from its extended to its retracted position.

2. A dog racing apparatus comprising, with a trackway extending alongside of a dog racing course, a carriage mounted to travel on said trackway, an arm swingably mounted on said carriage, a lure supported by said arm, said arm being swingable to an extended position to present the lure to urge dogs along the racing course and to a second position to remove the lure from proximity to the race course, means to hold said arm in each of the two positions, a swingably mounted arm placed adjacent to the track rails substantially at a point along the race course where the lure is to be withdrawn, a contact wheel carried by said arm to be interposed in one relation of the arm to swing back the lure carrying arm, and means to move said swinging arm to bring the wheel into and out of operative positions.

, 3. A dog racing lure apparatus comprising, a movable lure carriage, a lure carrying arm structure swingably mounted upon said carriage to be swung to one position to extend laterally and. carry the lure in dog luring relation and to be swung to another position to retract the lure from dog luring relation, and means to reduce the length of extent of said arm when retracted. 4. A dog racing lure apparatus comprising, a movable lure carriage, a lure carrying arm structure pivotally and swingably mounted on said carriage to be swung to a position of use extending laterally and to be swung to another position to trail from the carriage, means normally exerting force to swing said arm to the trailing position, latch means to hold said arm in the laterally extending position for use, trip means to release said latch means to allow the laterally extending arm to be swung to the trailing position, said arm structure having a retractable extension section to carry a lure, means normally exerting force to retract said extension section, means to releasably hold said extension section in extended relation, and means automatically tripped by rearward swinging movement of the arm structure to release the latch means thereof and allow retraction of the extension section.

ROY H. ALLDRITT. 

